OmarComing25

That was a nasty changeup.

He's only given up 1 homerun so it doesn't seem like he's getting hit hard. Looks like he's a victim of a .444 BABIP and a 51% LOB%. Currently a 5.31 gap between his ERA and FIP, that's pretty crazy.

I don't think that hit Anderson's bat.

That was ball 4

There you go Abreu it's about time.

Are there any recent examples of a reliever who came out of nowhere and put up a great first half before getting traded at the deadline? Curious to see what we should expect in a deal if Swarzak and Kahnle keep pitching well.

Alone in 1st place, best record in Chicago, top 5 in run differential, just like we all expected.

Avi!

Jones looked good there.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Apr 28, 2017 -> 03:31 PM) If the kid puts up an entire years of this, MAYBE we can start to drop Champan's name. MAYBE. Realistically, the odds are about a thousand times better that this month is a fluke, and the kid will fall back to earth soon, versus his being in Aroldis's league. I'm not saying he's in Chapman's league at all, just saying there are very encouraging signs in his performance. You can't fake increased velocity.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Apr 28, 2017 -> 03:11 PM) Right handed Champan? Come on. I get the guy has improved and all, but you are talking about a guy who is in his own world. Obviously a bit of hyperbole, but he did write that Kahnle's perceived velocity this season is 2nd to Chapman. That's a pretty good sign.

QUOTE (Reddy @ Apr 28, 2017 -> 01:45 PM) Y'all. Sale is like this early on every season then blows up in August/September. He definitely seems to wear down in September but his career ERA in August is 3.02

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/the-white-s...-on-the-planet/ Talks about a slight mechanical adjustment that's been made, and how his dominant start may be legitimate. Cool article.

Sale already has 2 WAR on the year, I'm still rooting for him. Hopefully the trade is a win-win.

Initially I was pro-tank for the draft pick, but we're much better suited to guys playing well and building value than getting a draft pick a few slots higher. I'd rather get the #6 pick and have Kahnle/Swarzak/Holland/Gonzalez turn into viable trade pieces than get the #2 pick and have all of them suck.

QUOTE (steveno89 @ Apr 27, 2017 -> 02:00 PM) Kinda doubting Robertson ends up in Washington at this point. If a deal was going to happen it likely would have happened already. I think they were willing to give their in-house options a try and didn't want to trade more prospects after already depleting their system. But as we get closer to the deadline they'll probably change their tune if the bullpen troubles continue.

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ Apr 27, 2017 -> 02:10 PM) No he's not. People that hate strikeouts won't like Moncada very much though because he's going to K a lot in the bigs too. I think he'll be fine if he can keep his K rate in the bigs below 30%, but right now he's not there yet.

QUOTE (reiks12 @ Apr 27, 2017 -> 02:04 PM) Hes hitting but that K rate is going to be infuriating when hes up with us Yeah it's pretty concerning. >30% in AAA right now, and it's likely to be higher in the MLB. He's not ready to come up yet.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Apr 26, 2017 -> 09:42 PM) Royals fans are hoping Jorge Soler is the key to turning it around. Right now they are slumping. They can't hit and Gordon looks like he's finished offensively. Still a great defender. Except for Duffy, their starters aren't very good. Their bullpen is not that good. They might be a last place team. No bats. Bad bullpen. Bad rotation. Great defense. Even Duffy has warning signs. His velocity is at a career low and he's struggling to throw strikes. His last start could be a sign of things to come.

QUOTE (oldsox @ Apr 26, 2017 -> 04:01 PM) Miggy on the DL. Scored 19 runs without him yesterday

QUOTE (shipps @ Apr 26, 2017 -> 03:53 PM) Holy s***, what is a SIERA? http://www.fangraphs.com/library/pitching/siera/ It's basically like FIP but it tries to take into account balls in play as well. It's a better future predictor than FIP.

QUOTE (Feeky Magee @ Apr 26, 2017 -> 03:49 PM) Pretty funny that we have the greatest bullpen of all time on a rebuilding team First in K%, lowest in SIERA and xFIP so far

Kind of wanted to see Kahnle stay in.

Leury is a Royals killer

If Kahnle's and Swarzak's increased velocity is legit, we could own the relief market at the deadline.